UP Governor backs Mulayam's effort for 'Uttam Pradesh'

Lucknow, May 11(UNI) Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar today backed the efforts of chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav in turning the state into 'Uttam Pradesh' (best state).

In his address to the joint session of the state legislature here, Mr Rajeswar said the sincere efforts of his government for the overall development of the state will help turn Uttar Pradesh into 'Uttam Pradesh.' The Governor lauded the state government's effort of pulling UP out of debt trap. He said after a gap of 20 years it was for the first time that the state registered revenue savings of Rs 1123.17 crore. ''Owing to it, the Planning Commission was forced to appreciate the efforts of my government,'' he added.

He said the state government, through its excellent financial management and efficiency has placed UP in the list of leading development oriented states of the country. ''Gone are the days when the state had to go for overdraft every year as it was difficult to pay the salaries of its employees''.

During the year 2002-03, the growth rate of the state stood at meagre 0.1 per cent, which owing to miraculous efforts of my government has now reached to 6 per cent.

''Though rumour mongers spread rumours about the law and order situation in the state, national level companies were competing with MNCs to invest in industrial sector in UP,'' he said.

''Private companies have promised to invest Rs 30,000 crore in the power sector and necessary efforts have begun in this regard'', Mr Rajeswar added. He said with this, his government will be able to provide power to one and all in the next two years while all the villages would be energised by year end.

Terming farmers as the backbone of the economy, he said the government has done a comendable job for the prosperity of the farming community. Private investors have invested around Rs 5000 crore in the sugarcane industry bringing UP to Number One slot in terms of sugar production.

Mr Rajeswar also raised concerns about the threat of cross border terrorism. He said since UP shared its lengthy borders with other countries it was easy for terrorists to inflitrate into the state.

Lauding the state police, he said the terrorists who tried to create panic by attacking disputed site at Ayodhya and by triggering explosions in Varanasi were dealt with a strong hand.

He said after holding peaceful election of three tier panchayati bodies, now the government will conduct the urban local bodies election very soon after completion of the delimination work and overcoming legal hitches.

Providing health facilities to all is one of the priorities of the government, thus the slogan ' free medicine and education'.

Arrangements of free treatment have been made for poor people in all government hospitals whereas new hospitals with all facilities have been opened.

He said a provision of Rs 5075 crore has been made this year for construction and maintenance of roads and bridges while a grant of Rs 60 crore has been made for improving the condition of medical colleges. He also said that Rs 522 crore has been sanctioned for the development of Bundelkhand and Purvanchal region.

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